Category Archives: Carmel Lifestyle

ABC's of the Monterey Peninsula, Carmel Lifestyle, Pebble Beach Lifestyle

ABC’s of the Monterey Peninsula ~ “B” is for Beach!

August 28, 2016 Susan Clark

ABC’s of the Monterey Peninsula ~ “B” is for Beach

Carmel ~ Pebble Beach ~Pacific Grove ~ Monterey

Susan on Carmel Beach — Susan walking down Carmel Beach

A beach has always been a draw for most everyone and I’m no different. I’ve always loved the beach – the sound of the waves, the squawk of the sea gulls, the salt air, the feel of sand between my toes

. . . and yes, in my youth even enjoyed slathering on suntan lotion and baking in the sun – not recommended. Of course, our beaches in northern California are quite different that the ones I spent time at in my earlier years – Cape Cod, the Gulf Coast of Florida, and Hawaii.

Even though it is not “hot” here in the summer time residents and visitors alike throng to Monterey Peninsula beaches. The white sands of Carmel Beach with a backdrop of the Pebble Beach Golf Links attract hundreds of people any time of year.

Carmel Beach - kite flying is a fun activity at the beach! — Carmel Beach – kite flying is a fun activity at the beach!

When prospective buyers are thinking of purchasing a home here, a question I hear over and over again is, “How far is it from the beach?”

Roof top view of Carmel Beach ~ from this house it was just a block away!

For dog lovers it is heaven since this beach is famous for allowing dog owners to allow their pets freedom from the leash. It’s a great place for picnics or a beach party and beach fires at this time are still allowed in certain areas and certain days – though many people would like to change that.

River State Bch — Carmel River State Beach, Carmel CA

The other beach in Carmel is Carmel River State Beach and is also a beautiful long “walking” beach where you can enjoy fabulous views.

Pacific Grove, also, has a wonderful beach on Lover’s Point that many flock to on a sunny day.

Lover's Point Beach in Pacific Grove — Lover’s Point Beach in Pacific Grove

When we have our warm spells, it tends to look like Coney Island with people sitting on their beach blankets packed together like sardines. The Recreation Trail between Lover’s Point and the Hopkins Marine Station is a favorite walk or bike ride for those who want to enjoy the rocky, rugged coastline – like me! I walk it almost every day.

Every spring the harbor seals have their baby pups who hang out at either the Stanford University Hopkins Marine Station beach or the 5th Street beach where the babies can be safe in the protected cove.

Of course, the Pacific Grove coast in spring is special not only for the Harbor seal pups being born, but for the “Pink Carpet” that bursts into bloom in April and May!

"Pink Carpet' blooming in spring along the Pacific Grove coast. — “Pink Carpet’ blooming in spring along the Pacific Grove coast.

Pebble Beach has many wonderful beaches like Asilomar Beach (a lovely place to watch a sunset) on the boundary line of Pacific Grove

and Spanish Bay Beach complete with picnic tables.

Pebble Beach, also, has a phenomenal coastline.

Monterey boasts Del Monte Beach, the long walking beach that goes for miles. Whether you are walking, enjoying a sunset . . .

or hang gliding, this beach is a gem and not known by all visitors. I didn’t discover it until I moved here even though I had visited the Monterey Peninsula most of my life.

Hang glider about to take off from Del Monte Beach

Ok, ready to go to the beach? Pick one and have fun! Surf’s up!

Visit me on my Business Facebook page.

Do you dream of living on the Monterey Peninsula? Share your dream on ProjectShareYourDream.

Enjoy the beach!!

Alain Pinel Realtors/Relocation, Carmel Lifestyle, Community Events

Yes, there really is a Knight in Shining Armor in Carmel-by-the-Sea! Come to the Carmel Canine Cottages Competition

August 14, 2016 Susan Clark

Fairytale Castle by Jeff Crockett Bldg & Design and J. Stepanek Construction

Carmel Canine Cottages Competition August 13th-16th at Alain Pinel Realtors 10-4pm in Carmel on Junipero between 5th & 6th Benefit for the SPCA

I know many of us as young girls dreamed of meeting a knight in shining armor (or maybe even being a damsel in distress) and being whisked away to his castle on horseback – do you think our doggie friends have similar dreams? During “Car Week” which is just beginning Alain Pinel Realtors decided to do something different. Local architects, designers, and builders were invited to imagine and create “Canine Cottages” in different architectural designs pairing our love of both homes and our pets.

"The Tudor" designed by Helen Okada and built by Jim Yates Construction — “The Tudor” designed by Helen Okada and built by Jim Yates Construction

These “doghouse masterpieces” are being auctioned off at Alain Pinel Realtors through Tuesday August 16th via a Silent Auction manned by SPCA volunteers. All monies collected go to the SPCA to help fund their efforts in caring for animals and currently they are very busy attending to animals misplaced by the Big Sur fire keeping them fed and safe and providing homes.

SPCA event chair (on right) and a volunteer

Today’s young women aren’t into fairytales so much so perhaps a more modern theme would work for today’s modern pooch!

Contemporary designed by Sterling -Huddelson & constructed by Carrol & Strong Builders, Inc.

You can bid on these Canine Cottages from 10am-4:00pm from Saturday August 13th – Tuesday August 16th. Then on Tuesday from 4:00pm-7:00pm there will be a grand reception at Alain Pinel Realtors where the Best of Show will be awarded and the results of the Silent Auction will be announced. Don’t miss this event of the Season! Entry fee is $50 ~ all proceeds benefit the SPCA.

Green/Smart home designed by Jeselnick architect & construction by Hare Construction

Then for the thoroughly modern and politically correct pooch we have the Green/Smart home complete with a natural roof and fountain.

Colonial by Bakker Construction - modeled from a historic home in Pacific Grove — Colonial by Bakker Construction – modeled from a historic home in Pacific Grove

Our Monterey Peninsula is filled with history and historic homes and this next doggie abode has a history of its own. It is a colonial design and patterned off a real historic home in Pacific Grove on Central Avenue that was remodeled by Bakker Construction.

Doggie treats and playthings in the lid.

Note the side door entrance for our doggie.

Ok, I guess you are all wondering which is my favorite? What can I say, I’m a “fairytale/castle girl”!

Susan Clark, Alain Pinel Realtors admiring the Castle.

Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to help the SPCA and have fun at our grand reception! Tickets available at our offices or online.

And, if you should need a home yourself? Call me!

Susan Clark, Alain Pinel Realtors 831-320-6801

Carmel Lifestyle, Community Events

It’s a Dogs World in Carmel-by-the-Sea~2nd Annual Carmel Canine Cottages Fundraiser

August 11, 2016 Susan Clark

2nd Annual Carmel Canine Cottages Fundraiser

Carmel-by-the-Sea August 12th-15th from 10:00am – 4:00pm Alain Pinel Realtors on Junipero between 5th & 6th

Festive Award RECEPTION Tuesday, August 15th 4:00 – 7:00pm

Scrumptious hors d’oeuvres ~ delightful wines Tickets $50

All proceeds to benefit the SPCA

The following article tells about the First Annual Canine Cottages Fundraiser last year. We want to raise even more for the SPCA this year so please buy a ticket at www.CarmelCanineCottages.Com

It’s happening this weekend in Carmel-by-the-Sea, the first annual Alain Pinel Realtors Carmel Canine Cottages Competition! This event will benefit the SPCA with a silent auction of uniquely designed canine cottages. Local architects and designers and builders have teamed up and created some amazing “canine cottages” or as some people call them – doghouses. But these are no ordinary doghouses! We have one that is a “colonial” built by Bakker Construction, a “contemporary” designed by Sterling-Huddelston and built by Carrol & Strong Builders, and if that isn’t enough a “castle” — Yes, I said a castle, by Jeff Crockett Building & Design and J. Stepanek Construction. And, of course, the really discerning pooch will demand a “Green/Smart Home” so we have one of those too thanks to Jeselnick Architect and Hare Construction! And last but not least, being in Carmel we had to throw in a “Tudor”so Helen Okada and Jim Yates Construction created a “Tudor” for the event.

Many thanks to all our architects, designers and builders!

To bring one of these fabulous Canine Cottages home for your beloved pet, join us in a silent auction or just come and see these amazing structures at Alain Pinel Realtors on Junipero between 5th & 6th (across from Bruno’s) August 13th – 16th. All funds collected from the silent auction will go to the SPCA and there is no charge to view. As many of you know, the SPCA in addition to their usual good work is very busy saving all kinds of animals that have been displaced by the Soberanes fire. They need our support now more than ever!

Every event needs a fantastic finale so be sure to come to the reception on Tuesday, August 16th from 4:00-7:00pm after viewing the cars at Concours On the Avenue in Carmel. Entry tickets to the event can be purchased for $50 at Alain Pinel Realtors or online. All funds collected will go to the SPCA. On Tuesday the SPCA will have some wonderful doggies in front of Alain Pinel Realtors that are looking for a loving home so if you’re looking for a furry friend, we can help!

This is going to be a FUN EVENT!! Come on by!

ABC's of the Monterey Peninsula, Carmel Lifestyle, Golf on the Monterey Peninsula, Pebble Beach Lifestyle

ABC’s of the Monterey Peninsula ~ “A” is for AT&T Pro Am Golf Tournament

August 5, 2016 Susan Clark

Welcome to the ABC’s of the Monterey Peninsula, a 26-part series all about the Monterey Peninsula from A -Z. Posts will be published every Friday and Tuesday evening until we get to “Z”!

ABC’s of the Monterey Peninsula “A” is for the AT&T Pro Am Golf Tournament ~ February 6-12 2017

AT&T Pro Am Golf Tournament ~ Pebble Beach Golf Links, Pebble Beach against a back drop of Carmel Beach

This photo epitomizes the AT&T Pro Am experience. Picturesque holes, golfers photographed with the back drop of the Pacific Ocean and the beautiful white sands of Carmel Beach. When my husband and I lived in San Francisco we came down to the AT&T numerous times. The weather was often cold and foggy or rainy, but we didn’t care. I don’t know if it’s global warming or not, but the last five years the weather has been much better in the beginning of February and we often now enjoy sunny skies and fairly warm temperatures.

Pebble Beach Golf Links Photo taken by Bob Borden

Now that we’ve lived on the Monterey Peninsula for 17 years we still love to watch the golf tournament, but now sometimes it’s from the couch.

golf shot — Pebble Beach Golf Links taken by Bob Borden

The AT&T Pro Am Golf tournament that started as the “Crosby Clambake” 79 years ago to raise money for charity never fails to bring thousands of visitors to the Monterey Peninsula hoping to catch a glimpse of their favorite celebrities on the course where the greens meet the sea.

Over the years playing to the camera have been celebs like Ray Romano, Kevin Costner, Chris O’Donnell, Andy Garcia, Bill Murray, Huey Lewis,Kenny G, Don Johnson, and Clint Eastwood. Added to the mix are sports figures from many sports including football and baseball stars.

Pebble Beach Golf Links ~ photo by Bob Borden

Millions of dollars are raised every year at the tournament which are distributed by the Monterey Peninsula Foundation to numerous charitable organizations. In 2015 a total of 9.1 million dollars was awarded to local non-profits in the tri-county area in that year alone.

The tournament is played on three courses; Spyglass Hill Golf Course, Monterey Peninsula Country Club Shores Course, and Pebble Beach Golf Links. On Saturday, most of the celebrities play on the world renown Pebble Beach Golf Links where they are photographed and interviewed as golf enthusiasts watch from the course or from home.

When the weather is sunny and gorgeous, you couldn’t ask for a better advertisement to promote the beautiful Pebble Beach area as seen from the Goodyear Blimp.

So SAVE THESE DATES in your calendar February 6-12, 2017 and plan to come see the AT&T Pro Am in person this time. We’ll pray for our good weather to continue so you will take home delightful memories of blue skies, sunlit courses, and crashing waves, after bearing witness to some great golf.

If you want more . . . read my two 2013 posts in the Archives relating some of my experiences from the 2013 AT&T – particularly the one about Ray Romano – between a rock and a hard place. Enjoy!

Susan Clark, Realtor

Category Archives: Carmel Lifestyle

ABC’s of the Monterey Peninsula ~ “B” is for Beach!

Yes, there really is a Knight in Shining Armor in Carmel-by-the-Sea! Come to the Carmel Canine Cottages Competition

It’s a Dogs World in Carmel-by-the-Sea~2nd Annual Carmel Canine Cottages Fundraiser

ABC’s of the Monterey Peninsula ~ “A” is for AT&T Pro Am Golf Tournament

Susan's Musings by the Sea